The decision taken by the Corsican Assembly to adopt a project aimed at including in the French Constitution a “status of autonomy” for the island was seen as a historic moment. This progress, approved by a large majority of island elected officials, however raises questions and reluctance at the national level.
The text submitted to the vote included several important points, notably the recognition of the Corsican community and the possibility of granting normative power to elected island officials. The popular consultation planned to validate this project adds a democratic dimension to this approach.
However, despite the agreement reached between the Minister of the Interior and the Corsican representatives, this initiative is not unanimous within the national Parliament. The right, which has a majority in the Senate, expresses reservations about this constitutional reform. The path towards the total adoption of this text promises to be strewn with pitfalls.
Discussions on the autonomy of Corsica have been revived following tragic events which shook the island. This political progress demonstrates the desire to ease tensions and respond to the aspirations of the Corsicans in terms of local governance.
It remains to be seen what the reaction of the national Parliament will be to this proposal and on what date the popular consultation will be organized to collect the opinions of Corsican citizens on this fundamental question for the future of the island.
This decision marks a turning point in the history of Corsica and raises important issues in terms of decentralization and local governance.